Finance professionals have indicated that the sluggish global economy is leading to increased pessimism, but the recent CFO survey conducted by GE Capital found that the finance chiefs of middle-market companies remain relatively positive.

According to a release, the survey was given during the third quarter and sought responses from more than 530 finance bosses at companies with average revenues of $162 million throughout a variety of sectors.

Approximately one-third of respondents expected their industries to grow over the next year, while 73 percent believe they can either maintain or increase profit margins in 2011.

"CFOs clearly have altered their outlook on the U.S. and global economies," Dan Henson, president and CEO of GE Capital, Americas, said in the release. "However, these same CFOs maintain a more positive outlook for their own companies, indicating that they have identified the right mix of cost controls and capital investment for a lower-growth environment."

According to BusinessWeek, GE Capital's own review of approximately 1,200 customers found that fewer were paying down debt, suggesting the consumers may be becoming more comfortable with their own situations, Henson said.